Ga. given 30 days to fix food stamp problems

The federal government has warned Georgia food stamp officials that they are not fixing the state’s troubled system fast enough, and that the feds could pull $15 million in funding unless improvements arrive by May 14.

The letter from the regional administrator of the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service emphasizes that the state, already under pressure to repair the system, failed to correct a backlog of overdue food stamp cases and added to that problem with new overdue cases.

“This letter serves as a formal warning that (the state Department of Human Services) may be subject to suspension of administrative funds,” said Robin Bailey Jr. in the letter delivered Monday.

The federal agency had previously threatened to withdraw all of the $75 million it contributes to the administration of Georgia’s food stamp program. But, recognizing the state has made progress, it has reduced to possible penalty to a figure up to $15 million.

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Craig Schneider

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